The other Boleyn girl

Simply Henry

Mary, Anne and I were at the celebration, talking and laughing. I had to admit, up close, the King of England wasn't the ugliest man I had ever seen, and his temper hadn't come out but I still was concerned. Mary wore purple and gold, Anne wore dark red and I wore a dark green dress. I looked up and saw King Francis and King Henry watching Mary. I watched silently as Mary smiled at the two men and King Henry watched her in an almost intrigued way. 
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Anne and I were talking and Mary had talked to two young men, hanging on to their every word. Mary made her way to us. "Alice, Anne."

"The King of England wishes to see me!" Mary whispered in our ears. Anne gave out her infamous half smile, and I smiled more broadly.

"Mary, that is fantastic!" I smiled, lying a little bit. But didn't everyone in this day and age?
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We were watching men wrestle and I tried hard not to screw up my face. It was revolting to me, seeing two grown men fight each other like animals! It was one of my least favourite courtly pastimes. And then their majesties (King Henry and King Francis) were doing it. I watched as they grunted and moaned, going red as they tried to fling the other to the ground. King Francis won.
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Mary was in and out of the kings bed regularly. And one day she was dismissed for good. Mary had been taken out of favour.  Anne and I were at  a place when father came to speak to us. We both lowered ourselves to the ground and kissed our uncles hands.

As father got us to rise, he chuckled, "Sweet Anne and lovely Alice."

"Yes, papa." Anne said

"You know why you're here?"

"No, papa." I replied

"In Paris, no one explained." Anne told him

"Good, it's better that way." Father said

"What's happened?" I asked, worry rising

"His majesty is tiring of his French alliance. It seems he's also tiring of your sister. He no longer invites her to his bed." Father said

"Poor Mary." Anne said quietly, knowing how much our sister would be hurt by this

"Poor us. When she was his mistress, all our fortunes were made. Now most likely they will fall." Father said, "unless..." He looked at us and realisation hit me hard.

"Even if he had me, who is to say he would keep me? Or Anne?" I asked, rolling my eyes

"It's not just Mary. They say that all his liaisons are soon over. He blows hot, he blows cold..." Anne added

"Perhaps you could imagine a way to keep his interest more...prolonged?" Father asked, looking us in the eye, "I daresay you learned things in France. How to play his passions?" Anne and I exchanged a look

"For there is something deep and dangerous in you both. Those eyes of yours are like dark hooks for the soul." Father said, running a hand down Anne's face and then mine. We were to seduce a married man.